Background details into the three men who had committed a robbery in Lae and were shot dead by Police three weeks ago have been established.
The three robbery suspects were gunned down on April 2 while a fourth was seriously wounded on his leg following a gunfight with police.
Two of the men reside in Lae, one from Northern Province while the other from Morobe, and have both served time for various offences.
The third, going by the nickname of ‘Whitey’ of Milne Bay and Madang parentage, had been on the run from Milne Bay police following a series of criminal activities committed in the province.
He was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison for armed robbery and wilful murder, but escaped from Correctional Services custody.
Police had viewed CCTV footage where he was seen carrying a pistol grip factory made shotgun during the robbery, which he used to shoot the security guarding the shop.
During the shootout with police, he was shot dead whilst in possession of the same weapon.
The weapon serial number was checked through records and it has been confirmed that the weapon is licenced to a private security company in Milne Bay, and was taken off the guards after they were held up by the deceased and his accomplices.
Police will not release names of the deceased as this might only encourage notoriety.
(Lae police after the April 2 shootout – Filepic)